26 September 2015

Budapest Pastel And A Lesson Learnt

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We leave Budapest in a few hours. It’s been an amazing stay of almost three weeks – the city is more than I hoped or expected. But I did learn a lesson and that is, you can’t do everything!

I had planned on finishing up my online project as well as seeing the city. I had also planned, along with the daily sketches (Project 365) that I post on my Facebook Page, to do some plein air pastelling. I brought four sheets of mounted Wallis to work on plus a couple of sheets of mounted UART paper.

Well, I am disappointed to say I only did one pastel. And that was done yesterday, in the apartment, from a photo. And the reason that one got painted? This blog! I wanted this post to be about work I had done here in Budapest so I was highly motivated!

This Budapest pastel isn’t complete and later, I’ll talk about what I want to work on. Let’s take a look.

Budapest pastel: 2. As you can see, I chose the top left sketch. I thought I was going for the easy one as well as a design that worked. (I liked other designs too and will probably do another pastel at home.) Here's the vine charcoal drawing on mounted Wallis paper. (It's white paper but I was working and photographing under a warm interior light -see my set up at the end.) — 2. As you can see, I chose the top left sketch. I thought I was going for the easy one (I soon found out it wasn’t as easy as I’d thought!). Here’s the vine charcoal drawing on mounted Wallis paper. (It’s white paper but I was working and photographing under a warm interior light – see my set up at the end – which is why it looks so yellow.)

Budapest pastel: 3. The first three values on. This is where I ran into my first problem. I brought with me a new set of Schminke pastels. I thought this set, as opposed to the set of 20 I usually use en plein air, would give me more colour choices. Well I should have looked more closely. There are two very light blues and two dark blues - nothing in between, and that's what I needed. So I chose to use one of the lighter blues although, as you can see, it certainly isn't a middle value. Still, I'd make it work! — 3. The first three values on. This is where I began to run into problems. I brought with me a new set of Schmincke pastels. I thought this set, as opposed to the set of 20 I usually use en plein air, would give me more colour choices. Well I should have looked more closely. There are two very light blues and two dark blues – nothing in between, and that’s what I needed ie. a mid-value blue. So I chose to use one of the lighter blues although, as you can see, it certainly isn’t a middle value. Still, I had to make it work!

Budapest pastel: 4. In this image, I've taken paper towel and 'smudged' the pastel to create an underpainting. Since I am working on white paper, I want to remove as much pure white colour as possible. — 4. In this image, I’ve taken paper towel and ‘smudged’ the pastel to create an underpainting. Since I am working on white paper, I want to remove as much pure white colour as possible.

Budapest pastel: 5. Beginning to add more colour layers — 5. Beginning to add more colour layers

Budapest pastel: 6. More colour going on. Beginning to define the figures. — 6. More colour going on. Beginning to define the figures.

Budapest pastel: Thinking a bit about the background and how to resolve it ie. what to include, what to leave out, and how much to define it. — 7. Working on the background a bit and thinking about how to resolve it ie. what to include, what to leave out, and how much to define it.

Budapest pastel: How the pastel stands at the moment. Things I'll need to work on: downplaying those columns in the background - they call your attention; at the same time, work on the figures cutting them out negatively and creating more contrast against the background - they need to have the greater value shifts and the harder edges. — 8. How the pastel stands at the moment. Things I’ll need to work on: downplay those columns in the background – they call your attention; at the same time, work on the figures cutting them out negatively and create more contrast against the background – they need to have the greater value shifts and the harder edges.

Budapest pastel: My set up - computer with the image, my board and paper, thumbnails in front of me, and pastels on the seat beside me. — 9. My set up – computer with the image, my board and paper, thumbnails in front of me, and pastels on the seat beside me. You can see how yellow the light is that I am working under.

10. The box of Schminke pastels I chose colours from. You can see it's heavy on the greens and 'light' on mid-value blues and also some purples. — 10. The box of Schmincke pastels I chose colours from. You can see it’s heavy on the greens and light on mid-value blues and also some purples.

So, there you have it – my one and only in-Budapest pastel! I’ll work on it at home and then create another blog post. I have to say, I think, in the end, it’s gonna be a good one!

Now I am off to pack – the taxi picks us up in six hours for our 6:30am (ugh) flight.

Always, you know I love to hear from you. Let me know what you think about this pastel or anything else going on here on the blog.

For now,

~ Gail

PS. Here’s the later blog post,

Grief And Art – Using Art-Making To Deal With My Sadness And Anger

Creating Art Is Hard Work!!

Using black paper: Gail Sibley, "We Three," Unison Colour pastels on UART black 400, 12 x 9 in - detail of shoes

Using Black Paper For Pastel Painting

Backyard plein air painting: Gail Sibley, "Backyard Hollyhock," mostly Unison pastels on UART 400 grade paper, 12 x 9 in.

Backyard Plein Air Painting – Hollyhocks

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6 thoughts on “Budapest Pastel And A Lesson Learnt”

Heather Harman
Sunday, 27 September 2015 at 12:52 am

Great blog, and oh so true.
A lesson long since learnt – when travelling especially – going to new places which is exciting enough – just don’t expect you will function the same as at home! To have one good piece and a load of lovely memories – plus your sketch book – is a real achievement.

So I can tell you what might happen next time you go travelling – you don’t expect so much of yourself – leave some gear behind and regret it. LOL. The life of an artist eh?

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Tuesday, 29 September 2015 at 10:33 am
  
  Heather – you so got that right! I can’t imagine NOT taking some art gear even though after this experience I may be tempted to do so. When I go to Mexico in the winter, I go to paint as well as enjoy the warmth. Didn’t think to myself, ah this Budapest trip is completely different – everything will be new and there will be so much to see and do! AND you’re working on computer project. Sheeshkabob.
  
  Thank you for pointing out that what I do have from my trip is pretty darn wonderful 🙂
  
  And so glad you enjoyed the blog!!
  
  Reply
Sandi
Sunday, 27 September 2015 at 4:09 am

Can’t wait to see the finished piece, I’m at the shore and plan on painting en plen air …
Some boats in the Marina here.

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Tuesday, 29 September 2015 at 10:29 am
  
  Thanks Sandi! Look forward to seeing what you do. Boats are tricky things but such wonderful subjects!
  
  Reply
Daggi Wallace
Friday, 2 October 2015 at 4:13 pm

I can so relate as my Berlin trip is coming to an end in a few days, too. I’m always beating myself up over not meeting my expectations! There is simply way too much to do and see in Europe. I’m currently working on painting #16, but not all successful or showable! And there are still some people I meant to meet up with, places to see, exhibits to visit and I’ve been here for a month! But…it just won’t all get done and we have to be ok with that. I’m looking forward to seeing your finished painting. Safe travels home!!

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Friday, 2 October 2015 at 6:28 pm
  
  Yes, it’s a mad crush of things at the end as you try to squeeze in everything you haven’t done (including a pastel!). Good for you being on painting #16 whether or not it’s working! Home safe and sound and glad the weather is sunny and not too cold after glorious days in Budapest.
  
  Reply

Gail Sibley

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!